Combined storage apparatus

ABSTRACT

A combined storage apparatus ( 10 ) includes a storage bag ( 12 ) and a storage box ( 14 ). The base ( 20 ) of the storage bag ( 12 ) is gusseted and forms an extended flat surface which is attached to a stiff board ( 32 ). The board ( 32 ) has straps ( 40 A,  40 B) with buckles ( 42 ) which are adjustable to pull taut against the storage bag ( 12 ). After the storage bag ( 12 ) has been sealed by fastener tracks ( 28 A,  28 B) and evacuated of air through a one-way valve ( 30 ), the straps ( 40 A,  40 B) are pulled taut against the storage bag ( 12 ) and the buckles ( 42 ) secured. The adjustable straps ( 40 A,  40 B), the buckles ( 42 ), and the board ( 32 ) serve as a mechanical restraint to assist in retaining the storage bag ( 12 ) in a collapsed state. The storage bag ( 12 ) and the board ( 32 ) are sized to fit within the storage box ( 14 ). The board ( 32 ) also is folded in a manner to create two sidewalls ( 32 A,  32 B) which provides rigidity to permit multiple storage apparatuses ( 10 ) to be stacked.

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 10/756,262; 10/758,259; and 10/853,243.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to combined storage apparatuses, moreparticularly to a combined storage apparatus wherein a storage bag isprovided with a gussetted flat bottom surface which is attached to astiff board. An article is stored in the storage bag, and the storagebag is evacuated of air and then placed in a storage box.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

The storage bags of the prior art for storing blankets, clothes, orother articles comprise a bag body that can be sealed and evacuated ofair, so that the volume of the bags and their contents can besignificantly reduced for saving space. The storage bags of the priorart are, however, of irregular shapes and it is difficult to stack upmany storage bags. It is further disadvantageous that the bags and theircontents may expand while in storage due to possible infiltration of theair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a combined storage apparatus comprising astorage bag and a storage box. Typically, articles such as bedding,clothing, or other contents are placed through an opening in the storagebag and fastener strips are then used to seal the storage bag. A one-wayvalve is then used to evacuate air from the storage bag and the volumeof the bag and its contents is reduced as the wall of the bag iscollapsed against the contents contained therein. A base of the storagebag forms a gusseted flat surface and is attached to a stiff board. Thestiff board is provided with adjustable straps and buckles which may bepulled taut against the storage bag to retain the storage bag in acollapsed state. The board, straps, and buckles serve as a mechanicalrestraint to prevent the bag and its contents from expansion in theevent the bag is punctured or air infiltrates through a fastener stripwhich is accidentally opened or not completely closed. The storage bagand the board are sized to fit within the storage box.

An additional aspect of the invention is that when the storage bag isreceived within the storage box, lateral sections of the stiff board arefolded upward to form two sidewalls. When the storage bag is placed intothe storage box, the sidewalls add resilience. Since the combinedstorage apparatus is boxy and of resilient structure, a plurality ofthem can be stacked up so as to save storage or placement space.

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be morereadily understood from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined storage apparatus accordingto the present invention wherein the storage bag and the storage box areseparated.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a combined storage apparatus accordingto the present invention wherein the bottom board of the storage bag isfolded to form two sidewalls.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a combined storage apparatus accordingto the present invention wherein the storage bag is housed in thestorage box.

FIG. 4 illustrates the sealing of the opening of the storage bag bypulling a zipper thereof.

FIG. 5 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the present inventionillustrating the air in the storage bag being extracted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention wherein thestorage bag is enclosed in the storage box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a combined storage apparatus 10 of the presentinvention comprises a storage bag 12 and a storage box 14. The depictionof FIG. 1 shows the combined storage apparatus 10 disassembled such thatthere is no article (such as blankets, clothes, or the like) containedtherein for storage and the storage bag 12 and the storage box 14 areseparated. The storage bag 12 includes a flexible wall 16 which forms aboundary between an interior and an exterior of the storage bag 12, andan opening 18 which communicates therebetween through which an articleto be stored may be inserted. The wall 16 further includes a base 20, aleft side 22, a right side 24 which opposes the left side 22, and a top26. As should be apparent from the figures, the opening 18 is located atthe top 26 of the storage bag 12 and the base 20 opposes the top 26 andterminates in a horizontal flat or gusseted surface.

A fastener 28 located proximate the opening 18 includes a first fastenertrack 28A and a second fastener track 28B which are capable of mating inan interlocked position when the fastener 28 is in the closed positionand which are unlocked when the fastener 28 is in the open position,such as shown in FIG. 1. As also shown in the figures, the fastener 28is a plastic zipper and the tracks 28A and 28B are plastic zipperprofiles.

The storage bag 12 further includes a one-way valve 30 located on thewall 16 which communicates from the interior of the storage bag 12 tothe exterior of the storage bag 12, and serves as a passageway throughwhich air may be evacuated from the storage bag 12. The one-way valve 30may be adapted to be attached to a vacuum cleaner or othervacuum-creating means. An example of a one-way storage valve isdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,480,030 and 5,931,189, and both of thesepatents are incorporated herein by reference. A second example of aone-way storage valve is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,116,781 and6,357,915, and both of these patents are incorporated herein byreference. As should be understood, when the fastener 28 is in theclosed position and air is evacuated through the one-way air valve 30from the interior of the storage bag 12 to the exterior, the wall 16 ofthe storage bag 12 collapses about any article contained within.

As noted above, the base 20 of the storage bag 12 terminates in a flator horizontal surface or gusset. The base 20 of the storage bag 12 ismounted to a stiff board 32, which is a member of sufficient rigidityfor the use described below. The board 32 includes a top surface 34, abottom surface 36, and a periphery 38. The top surface 34 of the board32 is adhered or mounted to the exterior of the storage bag 12 at thebase 20. As shown in FIG. 2, two sections on opposite sides of the board32 may be folded upward to form two sidewalls 32A and 32B. The board 32has two straps 40A and 40B which are attached across the bottom surface36 of the board 32 and are in generally parallel arrangement relative toeach other. The straps 40A and 40B each extend beyond the periphery 38and each end of the straps terminate in a buckle half. The buckle halveson each of the straps 40A and 40B snap together to form a completebuckle assembly 42. The straps 40A or 40B are each adjustable within thebuckle such that the straps may be pulled about the storage bag 12 andpulled tight. The combination of the board 32, the straps 40A and 40B,and the buckle assemblies 42 collectively are used as a mechanicalrestraint to capture the storage bag 12 within, when the storage bag 12is in the collapsed state.

The storage box 14 further includes a box body 44 and an upper flap 46for closing the box body 44. The box body 44 can house the storage bag12 after the storage bag 12 is folded inasmuch as the periphery 38 ofthe board 32 (to which the storage bag 12 is attached) is sized to bereceived within the box body 44 when the sidewalls 32A and 32B arefolded upwards. The box body 44 is further provided with two handles 46on two short sides thereof and a window 48 made of transparent materialon one long side thereof. Additionally, the upper flap 46 may be securedto the box body 44 by use of a metal or plastic toothed zipper 50.

In use of the combined storage apparatus 10 of the present invention, anarticle, such as bedding or clothing, is inserted through the opening 18of the storage bag 12. The storage bag 12 is then sealed by mating thefirst fastener track 28A with the second fastener track 28B in aninterlocked position. To facilitate the sealing of the bag, a slider 52(as seen in FIG. 4) which straddles the fastener tracks 28A and 28B maybe used to facilitate the interlocking when the slider 52 is urged totravel along the profiles by the user. When the sealing of the storagebag 12 is complete, air is evacuated through the one-way valve 30 byattachment of a vacuum cleaner or the like, and the wall 16 of thestorage bag 12 collapses or shrinks about the article contained therein.As shown in FIG. 2, the sidewalls 32A and 32B of the board 32 are foldedupward and the storage bag 12, the article contained within the storagebag 12, and the board 32, are then received within the storage box 14.The storage bag 12 may then be folded or otherwise manipulated to fitwithin the storage box 14. The storage bag 12 may have a pre-formed foldor folds to facilitate the fitting of the storage bag 12 within thestorage box 14. The storage bag 12 is bound by connecting the straps 40Aand 40B at the buckle assemblies 42 and the straps 40A and 40B areadjusted to be pulled taut against the board 32. As best shown in FIG.5, the strap 40A, the strap 40B, the buckle assemblies 42, and the board32 collectively operate as a mechanical restraint which is used toretain the wall 16 of the storage bag 12 in the collapsed state, and theboard 32 should be of sufficient rigidity such that the storage bag 12may be retained in the collapsed state between the board 32 and thestraps 40A and 40B. The operation of the board 32, the straps 40A and40B, and the buckle 42 acting as a mechanical restraint prevents thestorage bag 12 and its contents from expansion in the event the bag ispunctured or air infiltrates through a fastener strip which isaccidentally opened or not completely closed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the collapsed storage bag 12 as attached to theboard 32 may then be closed within the storage box 14 by closing theupper flap 46 and fastening the toothed zipper 50. Since the combinedstorage apparatus 10 is generally boxy in configuration, it is easy tostack up multiple units, thereby saving storage space. The sidewalls 32Aand 32B of the board 32 reinforce the strength and toughness of thestorage box 14 after the storage bag 12 is placed into the storage box14. Therefore, the storage box 14 can sustain stress due to stacking upfor an extended time without deformation.

As should be understand, modification of certain aspects of the combinedstorage apparatus 10 are considered within the scope of the presentinvention. For example, the aforesaid straps 40A and 40B and the buckles42 used in association with the stiff board 32 caouldbe binding ribbonsor buckle belt as shown in the figures, for preventing expansion ofstored articles due to air leakage into the storage bag 12. It likewiseprovides an equivalent effect that the straps 40A and 40B be oriented onthe two long sides of the peripher 38 instead. Different representationsof the fasteners 28 and one-way valve 30 are possible.

The present invention is thus described, and it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, andall such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art areintended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A storage apparatus comprising: (a) a bag having a wall which forms aboundary between an interior and an exterior, and an openingcommunicating therebetween through which an article to be stored may beinserted; (b) a reclosable fastener located proximate the packageopening and configurable in an open position and a closed position; (c)a one-way air valve which communicates between the interior and theexterior to evacuate air from the interior of the bag and causes thewall to collapse about the article; and (d) a mechanical restraint whichis used to retain the wall in a collapsed state.
 2. The storageapparatus of claim 1 wherein the mechanical restraint includes: (a) astrap; and (b) a member of sufficient rigidity such that the bag may beretained in the collapsed state between the member and the strap.
 3. Thestorage apparatus of claim 2 wherein the strap is adjustable and pulledtaut against the bag.
 4. The storage apparatus of claim 3 wherein thestrap includes a buckle to secure the strap in a taut state.
 5. Thestorage apparatus of claim 2 wherein the member is a board.
 6. Thestorage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one-way air valve is adapted tobe connected to a vacuum cleaner in order to evacuate air from theinterior of the bag.
 7. The storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein thefastener includes first and second fastener tracks which mate in aninterlocked position when the reclosable fastener is in the closedposition and which are unlocked when the fastener is in the openposition.
 8. The storage apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first andsecond fastener tracks are plastic zipper profiles.
 9. The storageapparatus of claim 8 further including a slider which straddles theplastic zipper profiles and which facilitates the interlocking of theprofiles when the slider is urged to travel along the profiles.
 10. Thestorage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wall includes a base, a leftside, a right side, and a top, and the base is gusseted.
 11. The storageapparatus of claim 1 wherein the wall includes a base, a left side, aright side, and a top, the opening being located at the top and thestorage apparatus further including a fold between the top and thebottom such that bag may be folded along the fold when the bag is in thecollapsed state.
 12. The storage apparatus of claim 2 wherein the wallincludes a base, a left side, a right side, and a top, the opening beinglocated at the top and the base being attached to the member.
 13. Astorage apparatus comprising: (a) a bag having a wall which forms aboundary between an interior and an exterior, and an openingcommunicating therebetween through which an article to be stored may beinserted; (b) a reclosable fastener located proximate the packageopening and configurable in an open position and a closed position; (c)a one-way air valve which communicates between the interior and theexterior to evacuate air from the interior of the bag and causes thewall to collapse about the article; (d) a mechanical restraint which isused to retain the wall in a collapsed state; and (e) a container whichis sized to receive the bag and the mechanical restraint.
 14. Thestorage apparatus of claim 13 wherein the mechanical restraint includes:(a) a strap; and (b) a member of sufficient rigidity such that the bagmay be retained in the collapsed state between the member and the strap.15. The storage apparatus of claim 14 wherein the strap is adjustableand pulled taut against the bag.
 16. The storage apparatus of claim 15wherein the strap includes a buckle to secure the strap in a taut state.17. The storage apparatus of claim 14 wherein the member is a board. 18.The storage apparatus of claim 13 wherein the one-way air valve isadapted to be connected to a vacuum cleaner in order to evacuate airfrom the interior of the bag.
 19. The storage apparatus of claim 13wherein the fastener includes first and second fastener tracks whichmate in an interlocked position when the reclosable fastener is in theclosed position and which are unlocked when the fastener is in the openposition.
 20. The storage apparatus of claim 19 wherein the first andsecond fastener tracks are plastic zipper profiles.
 21. The storageapparatus of claim 20 further including a slider which straddles theplastic zipper profiles and which facilitates the interlocking of theprofiles when the slider is urged to travel along the profiles.
 22. Thestorage apparatus of claim 14 wherein the wall includes a base, a leftside, a right side, and a top, the opening being located at the top andthe base being attached to the member.
 23. The storage apparatus ofclaim 22 wherein the base is gusseted and wherein the wall furtherincludes a fold between the top and the bottom such that bag may befolded along the fold when the bag is in the collapsed state and the bagand the member are received within the container.
 24. The storageapparatus of claim 23 wherein the container has a lid which closes withthe bag and the member contained therein.
 25. A storage apparatuscomprising: (a) a bag having a wall which forms a boundary between aninterior and an exterior, and an opening communicating therebetweenthrough which an article to be stored may be inserted; (b) a reclosablefastener located proximate the package opening and configurable in anopen position and a closed position; (c) a one-way air valve whichcommunicates between the interior and the exterior to evacuate air fromthe interior of the bag and causes the wall to collapse about thearticle; and (d) a container which is sized to receive the bag and themechanical restraint, the container having sidewalls which are ofsufficient rigidity to permit stacking of multiple storage apparatuses.